Swim meet kit containing an ink body marker, a mark remover and a swim cap that is imprinted on its inside with swim meet/event/heat/lane

ABSTRACT

A swimming competition kit that includes a swimming/bathing cap whose inside surface is imprinted with indicia in the form of swimming competition words or abbreviations of such words, namely, “meet, event, heat, lane” with a sufficient space to the right of each indicia for the cap wearer to write in information pertaining to the indicia. The information may be the name of the swimming meet, name of the event, heat number and lane number. Other items of the kit may be an ink body marker and a remover of the mark left by the ink body marker. All may be sealed in a common package.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO COPENDING PATENT APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/443,382 filed Feb. 16, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a swimming meet kit containing items suited to help competitors identify the events, heats and lanes the are scheduled to compete in for a swimming meet. The items may include a body ink marker, a mark remover, and a swimming/bathing cap imprinted on an inside surface with swim competition words or abbreviations of those words, i.e., meet, event, heat and lane. Sufficient spacing is provided to the right of such words or abbreviations for the wearer of the cap to write in information with the body ink marker. A promotional display may also be used.

2. Discussion of Related Art

According to the online encyclopedia Wikipedia:

-   -   A swim cap, swimming cap or bathing cap, is a silicone, latex or         lycra cap worn on the head by recreational and competitive         swimmers.     -   Caps are worn for various reasons. Some facilities require the         wearing of swim caps, in order to protect filters from becoming         clogged with loose hairs which fall from the scalp of swimmers         who are not wearing a cap. Caps are also sometimes worn in an         attempt to keep the hair relatively dry or free from chlorinated         water, to keep the sun off of the hair, and also, when a cap is         worn with ear plugs, in order to keep water out of the ears.         Competitive swim caps are made of tightly fitted silicone,         latex, or lycra that hugs the skull of its user, providing cover         for his or her hair. This reduces drag in the water caused by         loose hair. During longer swimming sessions, a swim cap keeps         the head warm.     -   A swim cap, swimming cap or bathing cap, is a silicone, latex or         lycra cap worn on the head by recreational and competitive         swimmers.     -   Caps are worn for various reasons. Some facilities require the         wearing of swim caps, in order to protect filters from becoming         clogged with loose hairs which fall from the scalp of swimmers         who are not wearing a cap. Caps are also sometimes worn in an         attempt to keep the hair relatively dry or free from chlorinated         water, to keep the sun off of the hair, and also, when a cap is         worn with ear plugs, in order to keep water out of the ears.         Competitive swim caps are made of tightly fitted silicone,         latex, or lycra that hugs the skull of its user, providing cover         for his or her hair. This reduces drag in the water caused by         loose hair. During longer swimming sessions, a swim cap keeps         the head warm.     -   The English “Channel Swimming and Piloting Federation” states         that “one standard swim cap” may be used for official English         Channel record swims. The cap must be approved by the official         observer who accompanies the swimmer on the pilot boat across         the channel. “Standard swim caps” used by English Channel         swimmers of record over the years include solid rubber “tank”         style swim caps, molded rubber swim caps with chin strap, bubble         crepe rubber swim caps with chin strap, silicone swim caps and         latex “racing” swim caps. Swim caps that have neoprene within         the cap construction such as the “Barracuda Hothead” or are         completely made of neoprene are not allowed for record English         Channel swims. Several other long distance swims such as the         Santa Catalina Channel California swim have similar rules for         record swims.

According to WiseGeek at www.wisegeek.com:

-   -   A swim cap is a silicone or latex head cover worn by         recreational and competitive swimmers. Swim caps are also called         bathing caps. Keeping the hair out of the face, protecting hair         from chlorine or sea salt and reducing the loss of body heat are         said to be some of the benefits of wearing a swim cap.         Competitive swim caps are also designed to create less drag or         resistance in the water.     -   Swim caps cover the entire head from the forehead to behind the         ears to the nape of the neck. Both the silicone and latex types         of swim cap are stretchy and made to adjust to different head         sizes. Some swim caps even fit both children and adults. A swim         cap is not usually recommended for children under age four. Many         children's swim caps feature fun designs in bright colors.     -   Adult swim caps are also colorful and may feature graphic         designs. Silicone caps are usually more vivid in color than         latex styles. They also may be more comfortable and last longer         than latex swim caps. Also, silicone is a more breathable         fabric. A latex swim cap is often less expensive than the         silicone variety and may be ideal for occasional use.     -   Both latex and silicone swim caps tend to tear easily from         contact with items such as bobby pins or sharp fingernails. A         swim cap may be easier to put on if the hair is wet. Many swim         caps don't keep hair totally dry anyway as air pockets may be         created in the cap during swimming. Shorter hair is usually         easier to manage when wearing a swim cap, but longer hair may         fit better in the cap if it is first twisted into a bun.     -   Women's designer swim caps may feature added embellishments such         as flower petals made out of latex or silicone. A swim cap may         or may not have a strap under the chin. Competitive swim caps         may be printed in team colors and logos, but otherwise are as         minimal as possible in design. Like swimsuits, swim caps should         be rinsed in cold water after use and hung to dry. Damp swim         caps are susceptible to mold and mildew, so a swim cap should         always be completely dry before it is stored in a drawer or         sports bag.

According to Triathlete Sports at www.triathletesports.com:

-   -   Silicone caps were originally invented as an alternative cap for         people with latex allergies but over time people began to         appreciate silicone for other reason than allergies. There are         three main reason why silicone is sometimes preferred over         latex, it is longer lasting, non-allergy, and it doesn't pull         your hair as much. Latex, on the other hand, is less expensive,         doesn't slip off very easily, and is more popular among pro         swimmers.     -   Steps & Tips For Putting A Swim Cap On     -   1. Hold it down by the sides and bend your head down. The caps         are slightly oblong at the opening, hold it so it's longest         diameter is running parallel with our head,     -   2. Start putting the cap on at the forehead and work it on down.     -   Swimmers with really long hair can pull their hair out to the         rear and put their caps on half way. Then twist up the rest and         tuck it up inside as evenly and as far up as you can.     -   If you put long hair into a bun it can be hard to get a swim cap         to cover smoothly and tightly as the bun makes the cap stick out         into a point, which can cause the sides of the cap to not seal         well to keep water out.     -   You might try a wig cap liner. A wig cap liner looks like a         fabric swim cap but is thinner. An old stocking cut off and tied         off can make a cheap wig cap liner.     -   A bit of hair preparation goes a long way to help keep hair         under your cap where it can be protected and not sticking         outside your swimcap!     -   If your cap is sticky and drags, try rubbing some corn starch on         the inside—it will make your caps so slick!

When worn, the swimming cap has an outward facing side and an inward facing (that faces the wearer's head). The printing of a pattern onto the outward facing side of swimming caps is well known and custom printing is offered commercially. It is also well known to print different patterns onto both facing sides of the swimming cap to render the swimming cap “reversible”. If the swimming cap is reversible, the swimming cap may be worn with either of the two reversible faces of the swimming cap facing outward at any one time with the other reversible face facing inward (to face the wearer's head).

Body ink markers are conventional whose colorants are approved for cosmetic use, such as by the Color Additives Amendment to the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. The ink is removed by rubbing the area of the skin marked with the marker with a wash cloth under running water or with a hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol. Body ink markers are commercialized by Take Your Mark Sports LLC. According to their instructions, when using the marker for the first time, the marker should be shaken well to mix the ink. The cap is then removed and the tip should be pressed upon to ensure even ink flow, which is visible as the ink fills the marker tip. It can take 1-2 minutes to fill the tip the first time. If necessary, the tip should be pressed 2-3 times to re-ink the marker. Such a press tip feature keeps the ink separate from the tip to render the marker usable even if the cap is left off. The ink will also come out of most clothes during the wash cycle of a washing machine.

Sealing techniques to seal plastic packages containing items is conventional. Some conventional sealing techniques that are effective include thermal welding, sonic welding, and press-to-seal strips that are reclosable such as ziploc.

The online encyclopedia Wikipedia discusses conventional textile printing techniques, such as screen printing and digital printing:

-   -   Screen printing is a printing technique that uses a woven mesh         to support an ink-blocking stencil. The attached stencil forms         open areas of mesh that transfer ink or other printable         materials which can be pressed through the mesh as a sharp-edged         image onto a substrate. A roller or squeegee is moved across the         screen stencil, forcing or pumping ink past the threads of the         woven mesh in the open areas.     -   Screen printing is also a stencil method of print making in         which a design is imposed on a screen of silk or other fine         mesh, with blank areas coated with an impermeable substance, and         ink is forced through the mesh onto the printing surface. It is         also known as silkscreen, seriography, and serigraph.

Printing Technique

-   -   A screen is made of a piece of porous, finely woven fabric         called mesh stretched over a frame of aluminium or wood.         Originally human hair was used, then silk was woven to make a         screen mesh; currently most mesh is woven of man-made materials         such as steel, nylon, and polyester. Areas of the screen are         blocked off with a non-permeable material to form a stencil,         which is a negative of the image to be printed; that is, the         open spaces are where the ink will appear.     -   The screen is placed atop a substrate such as paper or fabric.         Ink is placed on top of the screen, and a fill bar (also known         as a floodbar) is used to fill the mesh openings with ink. The         operator begins with the fill bar at the rear of the screen and         behind a reservoir of ink. The operator lifts the screen to         prevent contact with the substrate and then using a slight         amount of downward force pulls the fill bar to the front of the         screen. This effectively fills the mesh openings with ink and         moves the ink reservoir to the front of the screen. The operator         then uses a squeegee (rubber blade) to move the mesh down to the         substrate and pushes the squeegee to the rear of the screen. The         ink that is in the mesh opening is pumped or squeezed by         capillary action to the substrate in a controlled and prescribed         amount, i.e. the wet ink deposit is proportional to the         thickness of the mesh and or stencil. As the squeegee moves         toward the rear of the screen the tension of the mesh pulls the         mesh up away from the substrate (called snap-off) leaving the         ink upon the substrate surface. There are three common types of         screenprinting presses. The ‘flat-bed’, ‘cylinder’, and the most         widely used type, the ‘rotary’.     -   Textile items printed with multi-colour designs often use a wet         on wet technique, or colors dried while on the press, while         graphic items are allowed to dry between colours that are then         printed with another screen and often in a different color after         the product is re-aligned on the press. The screen can be         re-used after cleaning. However if the design is no longer         needed, then the screen can be “reclaimed”; that is, cleared of         all emulsion and used again. The reclaiming process involves         removing the ink from the screen then spraying on a stencil         remover. Stencil removers come in the form of liquids, gels, or         powders. The powdered types have to be mixed with water before         use, and so can be considered to belong to the liquid category.         After applying the stencil remover, the emulsion must be washed         out using a pressure washer.     -   Most screens are ready for recoating at this stage, but         sometimes screens will have to undergo a further step in the         reclaiming process called dehazing. This additional step removes         haze or “ghost images” left behind in the screen once the         emulsion has been removed. Ghost images tend to faintly outline         the open areas of previous stencils, hence the name. They are         the result of ink residue trapped in the mesh, often in the         knuckles of the mesh (the points where threads cross).     -   While the public thinks of garments in conjunction with         screenprinting, the technique is used on tens of thousands of         items, including decals, clock and watch faces, balloons, and         many other products. The technique has even been adapted for         more advanced uses, such as laying down conductors and resistors         in multi-layer circuits using thin ceramic layers as the         substrate.

Stenciling Techniques

-   -   There are several ways to create a stencil for screenprinting.         An early method was to create it by hand in the desired shape,         either by cutting the design from a non-porous material and         attaching it to the bottom of the screen, or by painting a         negative image directly on the screen with a filler material         which became impermeable when it dried. For a more painterly         technique, the artist would choose to paint the image with         drawing fluid, wait for the image to dry, and then coat the         entire screen with screen filler. After the filler had dried,         water was used to spray out the screen, and only the areas that         were painted by the drawing fluid would wash away, leaving a         stencil around it. This process enabled the artist to         incorporate their hand into the process, to stay true to their         drawing.     -   A method that has increased in popularity over the past 70 years         is the photo emulsion technique:     -   Hand-painted color separation on transparent overlay by         serigraph printer Csaba Markus.     -   The original image is created on a transparent overlay such as         acetate or tracing paper. The image may be drawn or painted         directly on the overlay, photocopied, or printed with an inkjet         or laser printer, as long as the areas to be inked are opaque. A         black-and-white positive may also be used (projected on to the         screen). However, unlike traditional platemaking, these screens         are normally exposed by using film positives.     -   A screen must then be selected. There are several different mesh         counts that can be used depending on the detail of the design         being printed. Once a screen is selected, the screen must be         coated with emulsion and let to dry in the dark. Once dry, the         screen is ready to be burned/exposed. The overlay is placed over         the emulsion-coated screen, and then exposed with a light source         containing ultraviolet light in the 350-420 nanometer spectrum.         The UV light passes through the clear areas and create a         polymerization (hardening) of the emulsion.     -   The screen is washed off thoroughly. The areas of emulsion that         were not exposed to light dissolve and wash away, leaving a         negative stencil of the image on the mesh.     -   Photographic screens can reproduce images with a high level of         detail, and can be reused for tens of thousands of copies. The         ease of producing transparent overlays from any black-and-white         image makes this the most convenient method for artists who are         not familiar with other printmaking techniques. Artists can         obtain screens, frames, emulsion, and lights separately; there         are also preassembled kits, which are especially popular for         printing small items such as greeting cards.     -   Another advantage of screenprinting is that large quantities can         be produced rapidly with new automatic presses, up to 1800         shirts in 1 hour.[14] The current speed loading record is 1805         shirts printed in one hour, documented on 18 Feb. 2005. Maddie         Sikorski of the New Buffalo Shirt Factory in Clarence, N.Y.         (USA) set this record at the Image Wear Expo in Orlando, Fla.,         USA, using a 12-colour M&R Formula Press and an M&R Passport         Automatic Textile Unloader. The world speed record represents a         speed that is over four times the typical average speed for         manual loading of shirts for automated screen printing.

Screenprinting Materials

Caviar Beads

-   -   a glue is printed in the shape of the design, to which small         plastic beads are then applied—works well with solid block areas         creating an interesting tactile surface.

Discharge Inks

-   -   used to print lighter colours onto dark background fabrics, they         work by removing the dye in the garment—this means they leave a         much softer texture. They are less graphic in nature than         plastisol inks, and exact colours are difficult to control, but         especially good for distressed prints and underbasing on dark         garments that are to be printed with additional layers of         plastisol.

Expanding Ink (Puff)

-   -   an additive to plastisol inks which raises the print off the         garment, creating a 3D feel.

Flocking

-   -   consists of a glue printed onto the fabric and then foil or         flock (or other special effect) material is applied for a mirror         finish or a velvet touch. Four colour process or the CMYK color         model     -   artwork is created and then separated into four colours (CMYK)         which combine to create the full spectrum of colours needed for         photographic prints. This means a large number of colours can be         simulated using only 4 screens, reducing costs, time, and         set-up. The inks are required to blend and are more translucent,         meaning a compromise with vibrancy of colour.

Glitter/Shimmer

-   -   metallic flakes are suspended in the ink base to create this         sparkle effect. Usually available in gold or silver but can be         mixed to make most colours.

Gloss

-   -   a clear base laid over previously printed inks to create a shiny         finish.

Metallic

-   -   similar to glitter, but smaller particles suspended in the ink.         A glue is printed onto the fabric, then nanoscale fibers applied         on it.

Mirrored Silver

-   -   Another solvent based ink, but you can almost see your face in         it.

Nylobond

-   -   a special ink additive for printing onto technical or waterproof         fabrics.

Plastisol

-   -   the most common ink used in commercial garment decoration. Good         colour opacity onto dark garments and clear graphic detail with,         as the name suggests, a more plasticized texture. This print can         be made softer with special additives or heavier by adding extra         layers of ink. Plastisol inks require heat (approx. 150° C.         (300° F.) for many inks) to cure the print.

PVC and Phthalate Free

-   -   relatively new breed of ink and printing with the benefits of         plastisol but without the two main toxic components. Has a soft         texture.

Suede Ink

-   -   Suede is a milky coloured additive that is added to plastisol.         With suede additive you can make any colour of plastisol have a         suede feel. It is actually a puff blowing agent that does not         bubble as much as regular puff ink. The directions vary from         manufacturer to manufacturer, but generally you can add up to         50% suede additive to your normal plastisol.

Water-Based Inks

-   -   these penetrate the fabric more than the plastisol inks and         create a much softer feel. Ideal for printing darker inks onto         lighter coloured garments.     -   Also useful for larger area prints where texture is important.         Some inks require heat or an added catalyst to make the print         permanent.

Garment Decoration, Modern Application Notes

-   -   Traditionally, production garment decoration has relied on         screen printing for printing designs on garments including         t-shirts; recently, new methods and technologies have become         available. Digital printing directly onto garments using         modified consumer-quality, and task-specific designed inkjet         printers. Screen printing, however, has remained an attractive,         cost-effective, and high production-rate method of printing         designs onto garments. Digital printing directly onto garments         is referred to as DTG or DTS representing Direct To Garment or         Direct To Shirt. DTG or DTS direct printing has advantages and         disadvantages compared to screen printing. One noted advantage         of DTG/DTS is number of visually perceived colors and the         obvious photo-reproduction and photo-like print. DTG/DTS is         often WYSIWYG (an acronym for What You See Is What You Get),         whereas screen printing often requires skilled artistic         modification and then must be photo reproduced onto screens and         printed. DTG/DTS has the advantage of quick one-off designs and         small quantity orders where the screen printing process involves         several independent time consuming steps. Screen printing is a         production method and quickly overtakes DTG/DTS in cost per         print as the higher the volume the lower cost per print becomes,         screen printing also has the advantage of a large selection of         different types of inks that are all considerably less expensive         per garment than DTG/DTS inks.

USA Swimming publishes the following information at its website www.usaswimming.org:

-   -   As the National Governing Body for the sport of swimming in the         United States, USA Swimming is a 300,000-member service         organization that promotes the culture of swimming by creating         opportunities for swimmers and coaches of all backgrounds to         participate and advance in the sport through clubs, events and         education.     -   Our membership is comprised of swimmers from the age group level         to the Olympic Team, as well as coaches and volunteers. USA         Swimming is responsible for selecting and training teams for         international competition including the Olympic Games, and         strives to serve the sport through its core objectives: Build         the base, Promote the sport, Achieve competitive success.     -   USA Swimming is the National Governing Body for the sport of         swimming. We administer competitive swimming in accordance with         the Olympic & Amateur Sports Act. We provide programs and         services for our members, supporters, affiliates and the         interested public. We value these members of the swimming         community, and the staff and volunteers who serve them. We are         committed to excellence and the improvement of our sport. We are         committed to providing a safe and positive environment for all         members.     -   Listed below are some very in-depth guidelines geared to help         you through your first couple of swim meets. It may seem a         little overwhelming, but we tried to be as specific and as         detailed as we possibly could. If you have any questions, please         ask your coach.

Before the Meet Starts

-   -   Arrive at the pool at least 15 minutes before the scheduled         warm-up time begins. This time will be listed in the meet         information handed out to all swimmers and also in the team         newsletter.     -   Upon arrival, find a place to put your swimmer's blankets, swim         bags and/or sleeping bags. The team usually sits in one place         together, so look for some familiar faces.     -   Find the check-in place. Usually, parents are not allowed on         deck so this may be a responsibility of your swimmer or your         swimmer's coach. Make sure your swimmer checks in with his or         her coach! Check for special posted instructions in the check-in         area.     -   Usually one will need to circle the swimmer's name or “#” before         each swimmer's name, in each event he or she is swimming, that         day. If this is not done, the swimmer will not be allowed to         swim that event. Check-in is required so that the people running         the meet know who is actually at the meet. After check-in, the         meet administrators “seed” the swimmers into heats. Heat and         lane assignments will be posted, so be sure your swimmer knows         where to look!     -   Sometimes the meet is “pre-seeded” and no check-in is required.         You and your swimmer can find heat and lane assignments by         purchasing a program.     -   Once “checked in”, write or have the swimmers write each         event-number on his or her hand in ink. This helps him/her         remember what events he/she is swimming and what event number to         listen or watch for.     -   Your swimmer now gets his/her cap and goggles and reports to the         pool and/or coach for warm-up instructions. It is very important         for all swimmers to warm-up with the team. A swimmer's body is         just like a car on a cold day-he/she needs to get the engine         going and warmed-up before he/she can go all out.     -   After warm-up, your swimmer will go back to the area where         his/her team is sitting and wait there until his first event is         called. This is a good time to make sure he/she goes to the         bathroom if necessary, gets a drink, or just gets settled in.     -   The meet will usually start about 10-15 minutes after warm-ups         are over.     -   According to USA Swimming rules (because of insurance purposes),         parents are not allowed on deck unless they are serving in an         official capacity. Similarly, all questions concerning meet         results, an officiating call, or the conduct of a meet, should         be referred to a coach. He or she in turn, will pursue the         matter through the proper channels.     -   Psyche Sheet or Heat Sheets. A psyche sheet is usually available         for sale in the lobby or concession area of the pool. It lists         all swimmers in each event in order of “seed time”. When the         team entry is sent in, each swimmer and his/her previous best         time (up to the date that the entry was submitted) in that event         is listed. If the swimmer is swimming an event for the first         time, he/she will be entered as a “no-time” or “NT”. A “no-time”         swimmer will most likely swim in one of the first heats of the         event. A Heat sheet may be available close to the start of the         meet that lists the actual heat and lane a swimmer will be         competing in.

Meet Starts

-   -   It is important for any swimmer to know what event numbers         he/she is swimming (again, why they should have the numbers on         their hand). He/she may swim right away after warm-up or they         may have to wait awhile.     -   Most meets are computerized. There are generally two ways a         swimmer gets to his/her lane:     -   A swimmer usually reports directly to his/her lane for         competition a number of heats before he/she actually swims.         Check with your swimmer's coach for specific instructions.     -   In some novice meets, a swimmer's event number will be called,         usually over the loudspeaker, and he/she will be asked to report         to the “clerk of course” or “bullpen”. Swimmers should report         with his/her cap and goggle. Generally, girls events are         odd-numbered and boys events are even-numbered. Example: “Event         #26, 10-Under Boys, 50 freestyle, report to Clerk of Course.”         The “Clerk of Course” or “bullpen” area is usually where all         swimmers checked in before the warm-up.     -   The clerk will usually line up all the swimmers and take them         down to the pool in correct order. You can expect at least 4-8         heats of each event. The swimmer swims his or her race.

After Each Swim:

-   -   He/she is to ask the timers (people behind the blocks at each         lane) his/her time.     -   Depending on the coaches instructions, the swimmer may be asked         to do some recovery swimming if a “warm down” pool or lanes are         available. The swimmer should then go immediately to his or her         coach. The coach will discuss the swim with each swimmer. Some         coaches may wish to talk with the swimmer before her recovery         swim.     -   Generally, the coach follows these guidelines when discussing         swims:     -   Positive comments or praise     -   Suggestions for improvement     -   Positive comments

Things You, as a Parent, can do after Each Swim:

-   -   Tell him how great he did! The coaching staff will be sure to         discuss stroke technique with him. You need to tell him how         proud you are and what a great job he did.     -   Take him back to the team area and relax.     -   This is another good time to check out the bathrooms, get a         drink or something light to eat.     -   The swimmer now waits until his next event is called and starts         the procedure again. When a swimmer has completed all of her         events she and her parents get to go home. Make sure, however,         you, as a parent, check with the coach before leaving to make         sure your swimmer is not included on a relay. It is not fair to         other swimmers who may have stayed to swim on a relay where your         swimmer is expected to be a member and she is not there.     -   Results are usually posted somewhere in the facility. Awards are         often gathered for a team and given to the coach at the end of         the meet. The coach will give the awards to the swimmers at a         later time.

The Badger Junior Team has always been a highly successful USS club, both in the Metropolitan area and nationally, consistently producing nationally ranked Top 10 swimmers as well as Top 10 relays. Badger junior swimmers have gone on to be State, Sectional and Regional Champions, World champions, NCAA and Olympic champions. Head Junior team Coach Kip Fierro, who is the inventor of the present patent application, has been active with Badger for forty years, first as an alumnus of John Collins and then as Badger Age Group Head Coach for over twenty-five years. He has been the Head Coach of the New Rochelle High School team for twelve years, was Head Coach at the New York Athletic Club for eighteen years and Head Coach at Coveleigh Club for three years.

As a result of his decades of swim meet experience and knowledge of the running of swim meets, the inventor has made some observations about swim meets that follow the USA Swimming guidelines.

Children competing in the swimming meet competition is primarily responsible to figure out which event he/she is competing in, which heats for each event he/she is competing in and which lane for each heat he/she is assigned to swim in. Generally, the information is unavailable until shortly before the swim meet starts, because the swimming heat data schedule for each event's heat and lane assignments is adjusted on the day of the competition to take into account no-shows, i.e, swimmers who were scheduled to compete in the swimming meet that day, but did not show up on time prior to commencement of the swimming meet.

Children competing in the swimming meet competition find it necessary to continuously ask their swimming coaches for help in identifying, from the swimming meet schedule, which event they are scheduled to compete in and their heat and lane number assignments. Although they may write the applicable heat and lane numbers on their bodies with a body ink marker, the children competing in the swimming meet competition still check the swimming heat data schedule and/or ask their swimming coaches to verify their heat and lane assignments for each scheduled event they are to compete in. While one might contend that such verification is unnecessary since they wrote the pertinent information on their bodies, the reality is that the children still do seek to verify event, heat and lane information from the posted swimming heat data schedule and from their swimming coaches. Perhaps the children in the competition simply do not trust their interpretation of what information they wrote on their bodies since they are the ones that are charged solely with interpreting what is written. Since multiple heat and lane assignments are involved in their writing and that needs to be correlated with the events they are scheduled to compete it, perhaps the manner in which the information is written on their bodies lends itself to multiple interpretations as to which event, heat and lane information is being identified by what they wrote.

Making a mistake as to the assigned heat and lane number for a scheduled event can have adverse consequences for the child in the swimming competition. For instance, if the child is at the wrong end of the swimming pool when his/her heat is called, the child misses the heat and may have no further recourse to be in the competition for that event. If the child is in a swimming lane assigned to a different child competitor who is late getting there, then the child become aware at the last moment about the mistake from the different child competitor and both children may undergo some stress as a result before competing due to the mix-up in lane assignments. If the child swims in the wrong lane, then the child may or may not be properly credited with having swum in the heat and the competition records may need to be corrected later thereby creating some stress on the meet officials as well the parents. Indeed, swimming coaches, parents and meet officials are under stress during swimming meets as a consequence of the practice of relying upon children to write event/heat/lane assignments on their bodies and to interpret the information written on their bodies so that the children be on time at the right event, right heat and right lane.

The present inventor believes there is a better way to help swimmers be informed as to what their events, heats and lanes are other than by relying upon children to mark their hands and arms with the correct information and relying upon them to interpret what they wrote down. The present inventor that such a better way would relieve stress for coaches, parents and meet officials as well as swimmers, because fewer swimmers would miss their races and would be on time to race in their assigned lanes in the heats for their events.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention is to utilize conventional screen printing or digital printing techniques to imprint onto and interior face of a swimming cap three words “Event”, “Heat” and “Lane” or abbreviations of some or all of those three words and to leave space to the right of those words or abbreviations for writing in information pertaining to the applicable event, heat and lane. The information may be written in with a conventional body ink marker. The inventor has found that the mark from a body ink marker is sufficiently waterproof to remain intact without smudging when exposed to swimming pool water during a swim meet and to be removable when rubbed with conventional soap or hand sanitizer.

Another aspect resides in commercializing a kit that includes the swimming cap and body ink marker together in a common package or arranged in close proximity to each other at retail that a consumer is encouraged to buy both at the same time, perhaps allowing the consumer choose the color of the body ink marker to be purchased (from a marker dispenser or container) together with the swimming cap. Preferably, the interior face of the swimming cap is imprinted with the three words “Event”, “Heat” and “Lane” or abbreviations of some or all of those three words and to leave space to the right of those words or abbreviations for writing in information with the body market pertaining to the applicable event, heat and lane.

A further aspect resides in commercializing a kit that includes the swimming cap, body ink marker and either soap or hand sanitizer together in a common package or arranged in close proximity to each other at retail that a consumer is encouraged to buy all at the same time, perhaps allowing to consumer to choose the color of the body ink marker to be purchased (from a marker dispenser or container) together with the swimming cap and soap or hand sanitizer. Preferably, the interior face of the swimming cap is imprinted with the three words “Event”, “Heat” and “Lane” or abbreviations of some or all of those three words and to leave space to the right of those words or abbreviations for writing in information with the body market pertaining to the applicable event, heat and lane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings, while the scope of the invention is set forth in the appended claims

FIG. 1 shows an inside view of a swim meet (competition) swimming cap in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a form in accordance with the invention that may be imprinted on the inside face of the swimming cap of FIG. 1 to identify the swim meet competition and applicable events, heats and lanes of the wearer.

FIG. 3 shows conventional swimming caps as commercialized that are imprinted with conventional logos on the outward facing side of the swimming caps.

FIG. 4 shows conventional body ink markers with bag.

FIG. 5 shows an isometric view of a convention hand sanitizer spray.

FIG. 6 shows a swim meet competition kit in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a merchandize display that promotes competition swim meet caps of FIG. 1, body ink markers of FIG. 4 and hand sanitizer sprays of FIG. 5 within separate compartments in the display in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 8 shows a virtual image of the merchandize display of FIG. 7 on a web page.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Turning to the drawing, FIG. 1 shows the silhouette of a swimming/bathing cap as viewed looking in at the inside surface of the swimming/bathing cap, i.e., the surface facing the head of the wearer. FIG. 2 exemplifies the indicia to be imprinted on the inside surface of the swimming/bathing cap. Although the indicia is actually on paper adhered by tape to the inside surface of the swimming/bathing cap in FIG. 2, it should be readily understood that the same indicia may be imprinted directly onto the inside surface using the same conventional screen printing or digital printing techniques used to imprint indicia on the outside surface of swimming/bathing caps as in FIG. 3, such a caps commercialized under the Kiefer brand at www.kiefer.com and owned by Adolph Kiefer and Associates. FIG. 4 shows conventional ink body markers and a bag for holding them as commercialized by Take Your Mark Sports, LLC. FIG. 5 shows a conventional hand sanitzer spray such as that commercialized under the tradename NATURAL TRENDS at www.naturaltrends.com/Sani-Pen2SprayHome.htm.

FIG. 6 shows a kit in accordance with the invention that includes conventional product packaging (such as a ziploc plastic bag) that contains items pertaining to swimming meet competition. The items may include any one or group of the following: swimming/bathing cap, ink body markers, remover of a mark left by the ink body marker (such as soap or a hand sanitizer lotion or spray). The construction of each of the items is conventional, except that, in accordance with the invention, the inside surface of the swimming/bathing cap is imprinted with indicia signifying swimming competition words or abbreviations of such words.

The swimming competition words are a set of words, namely, the words “meet”, “event”, “heat” and “lane”. Since the wear will likely be in multiple swimming events for any one swimming meet and thus swim in multiple heats (associated with the different events) and potentially in different swimming lanes, multiple sets the words “event”, “heat” and “lane” are imprinted on the inside face of the swimming/bathing cap, such as in the manner of FIG. 2. To the immediate right of each indicia space is provided from the wearer to mark in applicable information pertaining to the indicia with the ink body marker, such as the name of the swimming meet, name of the swimming event, number of the swimming heat and number of the swimming lane. A blank line may or may not be provided in each of he spaces to the right of the indicia.

The common packaging may be of a plastic material. The sealing of the packaging may be effected in any conventional manner, such as by thermal welding, sonic welding, and press-to-seal strips that are reclosable such as Ziploc or with snaps or a zipper.

FIG. 6 shows a merchandize display in close proximity to swimming competition items, i.e., the swimming/bathing cap imprinted on its inside face with sets of indicia (meet, event, heat, lane), ink body markers and removers of the marks left by the ink body markers (e.g., a hand sanitizer spray). FIG. 7 exemplifies either a physical layout in a retail store to the items in relative close proximity to the promotional display so that would be purchasers can see them all. The promotional display may be made of cardboard, plastic, wood or metal. FIG. 8 exemplifies a web page with a virtual image of the display of FIG. 7, but offers the user the ability to click on appropriate portions of the virtual image to order individual items or the entire set or to cycle through color choices for each of the items or see enlargements for each of the items. An enlargement for the cap may reveal a view externally (see FIG. 3) and internally (see FIG. 1).

There are advantage in accordance with the present invention for keeping child competitors informed as to the event, heat and lane assigned to them to compete in a swimming competition over the current practice of writing such information with an ink body marker on the hands or arms of the child competitor. First, the child competitor is not charged with devising a format to record the event/heat/lane information on their bodies that they will need to interpret later. Instead, a format in the form of a fill in chart is imprinted on the inside of their swimming/bathing cap that is readily filled out either by the child, parent or swimming coach in advance. Second, the swimming coach may not need to even refer to the posted swimming heat data schedule if the information is clearly filled in on the chart imprinted in the swimming/bathing cap. This contrasts with the case when the information is written on the child's body since the swimming coach may not readily know the format the child used to write the information on their bodies to properly interpret what was written and thus would consult with the posted swimming heat data schedule (or one they might have been given by the meet officials). Further, there may be situations in which there is no adjustment made in the scheduling of swimming events/heats/lanes for no-shows. Thus, the scheduled assignments for event/heat/lanes can be given out in advance and the information filled out in the chart imprinted on the swimming/bathing cap by the parents (or swimming coaches) so that the child need not be responsible to write anything about the event/heat/lane information, which makes the children better prepared for their races, less confused as to their event/heat/lane assignments throughout the meet and thus more relaxed (less stressed) since the information about their event/heat/lane assignments is readily available in their swimming/bathing caps.

The present invention also is concerned with a promotional display at retail and/or on the world wide web. Up to now, no one has come up with an approach that makes it possible for swimming competitors to become cognizant of their event/heat/lane assignments other than from writing pertinent information on their bodies, referring to a posted swimming heat data schedule, or conferring with a swimming coach at the meet. Such an approach brings together at one location or in one kit all the items necessary to fulfill such an approach. That is, the items of an ink body marker, a mark remover (soap or hand sanitizer) and swimming/bathing cap imprinted on its inside with a chart/form to fill in information pertaining to the assigned event/heat/lanes at a swimming meet for the wearer of the swimming/bathing cap. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the kit containing the items and a layout for a merchandize display, whether the display be a physical display at a retail store with all the items arranged in close proximity to each other or all in a commonly packaged kit or depicted in a webpage for ordering.

While the foregoing description and drawings represent the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 

1. A swim meet kit, comprising a swimming/bathing cap with an inside surface to face a wearer when the swimming/bathing cap is worn on a head of the wearer, the inside surface being imprinted with indicia with spacing to a right side of each indicia of sufficient size for the wearer to write in legible alphanumeric characters in correspondence with the indicia, the indicia being a set of swimming competition words or abbreviations signifying the plurality of swimming competition words or any combination thereof, the set of swimming competition words being selected from the group consisting of meet, event, heat and lane.
 2. The swim meet kit of claim 1, further comprising additional sets of swimming competition words imprinted on the inside surface, the additional set of swimming competition words being selected from the group consisting of event, heat and lane.
 3. The swim meet kit of claim 1, wherein the swimming/bathing cap is made from a material selected from the group consisting of silicone, latex and lycra.
 4. The swim meet kit of claim 1, further comprising a sealed package containing the swimming/bathing cap and an ink body marker.
 5. The swim meet kit of claim 4, further comprising a remover of a mark left by the ink body marker, the remover being within the sealed package.
 6. The swim meet kit of claim 4, wherein the remover is selected from the group consisting of soap and a hand sanitizer.
 7. A method of forming a swim meet kit, comprising providing a swimming/bathing cap with an inside surface that is to face a wearer when the swimming/bathing cap is worn on a head of the wearer, imprinting indicia on the inside surface and providing spacing to a right side of each indicia of sufficient size for the wearer to write in legible alphanumeric characters in correspondence with the indicia, the indicia being a set of swimming competition words or abbreviations signifying the plurality of swimming competition words or any combination thereof, the set of swimming competition words being selected from the group consisting of meet, event, heat and lane.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising imprinting additional sets of swimming competition words on the inside surface, the additional set of swimming competition words being selected from the group consisting of event, heat and lane.
 9. The method of claim 7, further comprising selecting material for the swimming/bathing cap from the group consisting of silicone, latex and lycra.
 10. The method of claim 7, further comprising containing the swimming/bathing cap and an ink body marker within a package and sealing the package.
 11. The method claim 10, further comprising containing a remover of the mark left by the ink body marker, the remover being within the package before the sealing.
 12. The method of claim 10, wherein the remover is selected from the group consisting of a hand sanitizer and soap.
 13. A merchandize display and items for a swimming meet, comprising a display setting forth promotional information that promotes purchasing items for a swimming meet, the items being selected from the group consisting of a swimming/bathing cap, an ink body marker, and a remover of a mark left by the ink body marker; and a plurality of the items all within close proximity of the display such that a person that is in position to read the display also sees the items, the swimming/bathing cap having an inside surface to face a wearer when the swimming/bathing cap is worn on a head of the wearer, the inside surface being imprinted with indicia with spacing to a right side of each indicia of sufficient size for the wearer to write in legible alphanumeric characters in correspondence with the indicia, the indicia being a set of swimming competition words or abbreviations signifying the plurality of swimming competition words or any combination thereof, the set of swimming competition words being selected from the group consisting of meet, event, heat and lane.
 14. The merchandize display and the items of claim 13, wherein the display and the items appear on a single web page accessible on a world wide web.
 15. The merchandize display and the items of claim 13, wherein the display is made of a material selected from a group consisting of cardboard, plastic, wood and metal. 